A discussion forum on Marine Safety, Recreational Boating Safety, and waterways managment as we work together to protect maritime commerce and mobility, the marine environment, and safety of life at sea.

Parity for All VesselsUniform safety standards are established for all vessels, particularly those operating beyond three nautical miles of the baseline of the territorial sea and coastline of the Great Lakes. In Title 46 U.S.C. §4502(b)(1) “documented” is deleted, so there will no longer be different standards for federally documented and state-registered vessels operating on the same waters.

Replacing Boundary Line with Three Nautical MilesTitle 46 U.S.C. §4502(b)(1)(A) is amended by replacing “Boundary Line” with “three nautical miles from the baseline from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured or three nautical miles from the coastline of the Great Lakes.”

Survival CraftAll fishing industry vessels operating beyond three nautical miles are required to carry survival craft that will meet a new performance standard for primary lifesaving equipment. Title 46 U.S.C. §4502(b)(2)(B) is amended by replacing “lifeboats or liferafts” with “a survival craft that ensures that no part of an individual is immersed in water.”

RecordsA new provision requires that the individual in charge of a vessel operating beyond three nautical miles maintain a safety logbook—a record of equipment maintenance and required instruction and drills.

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